KEEN to explore Community Supported Agriculture, the Shy by Nature Farm in Inver is putting the community at the heart of everything they do.

Working on 16 acres of land, the McNern family have been farming the land since the late 1800s.

With the land most recently farmed by Hugh Augustin, his nephew’s Ronan and Gareth McNern have taken the reins to create a regenerative farm eco system that’s good for the community, nature and their family for generations to come.

Over the past year the brothers have been actively seeking the help of volunteers to work in partnership with them in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.

With a polytunnel and ponds in place, alongside the help of volunteers, friends and neighbours, the McNern’s have created more than 80 no dig vegetable beds.

With local and seasonal vegetables grown in harmony with nature and harvested for freshness and flavour, the Shy by Nature farm is currently in organic conversion.

Using no-dig techniques, no pesticides or herbicides, the practises exercised by the Shy by Nature farm respects the soil life leading to healthy plants which are full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals.

With an abundance of fresh seasonal vegetables now ready to go, the farm has begun rolling out a fresh and affordable food box pilot packed with a delicious variety of vegetables designed to provide a balanced diet.

Containing six to nine portions of different vegetables, the box contains a mix of seasonal vegetables, herbs and a few other surprises.

However, by signing up, you are joining more than just a veg box scheme.

With volunteer days held every two weeks, you have the chance to visit the farm and participate in the harvesting.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Ronan McNern said volunteers aren’t just coming once, they are coming again and again.

“It really is quite nice.

“Someone sent me a message saying you’re actually growing more of a soul community just as much are you are vegetables.

“People are getting to see and experience the full life of that vegetable from when it is sown as a seed until it is harvested,” he said.

Already receiving positive feedback, Ronan said he has been told you don’t get the same taste with vegetables from the supermarket.

“Someone else said ‘you will know you are doing the right thing when someone says their kids really love your courgettes’ and that’s happening,” he laughed.

Keeping the community at the forefront of everything they do, Shy by Nature offer a sliding scale pricing system to provide fairer prices to suit every individual’s pocket in a bid to improve community health and widen access to their food.

With a positive response to the pilot so far, Ronan said it is a different experience to what the supermarkets are offering.

“I think it is clear that people want food they know no herbicides or pesticides have been sprayed on.

“They want to know where their food is coming from more so than ever,” he said.